by RJ Crayton
Lijah waited a moment, debating whether to say anything. “I’m not a threat to your people. I’m fine.”
Alex nodded. “Yes, you are fine. But if they find you here, I’m not fine. As much as I like you and your mother, I can’t have Thoreaux find out I’m harboring you.”
That didn’t leave a ton of options. “What do you plan to do?” Lijah asked, wondering if the man had felt the need to come tell Lijah he planned to murder him.
“Send you back uptop,” he said. “So long as you’re not here, so long as you’re not found on my watch, then you’re not a problem.”
Lijah nodded, not entirely sure he believed Alex. “What about my mother?”
“I think you know what’s best for your mother,” Alex said, eyeing him sympathetically. “Staying here provides her a good life. And, in a few weeks, more people will be returning to the regular world. She can seek you out then.”
“Why will people be returning? Has something happened?”
Alex scrutinized Lijah’s face, as if trying to determine if he was serious. “I thought Ms. Radcliffe spoke to you about it.”
“Natalie said the president was going to make an announcement.”
Alex nodded. “Yes, he is. He’s going to announce that we can slowly return to the way of things. They’re going to intake residents, get their name, dates of birth, relatives, all that stuff so they can vaccinate people and keep an accurate record of who’s been treated.”
An accurate record? Sounded like a way of keeping tabs on all your citizens. And if you wanted to do something nefarious, you’d have all the information you needed. Lijah nodded. “So, when will I get to go?”
“Day after tomorrow.”
Lijah’s eyes widened. That was cutting it close to their escape plan. “So soon?”
Alex eyed him sideways. “I thought you’d be glad to be done with captivity.”
Lijah chuckled. “I am. I just thought I’d be stuck here longer.” He extended his hand to Alex. The older man looked at it warily, and then shook it. “Thank you for your help and your honesty. I appreciate it.”
“I thought you would,” Alex said. He reached into an inner pocket on his jacket and pulled out a syringe with a cap on it. “This is for you,” he said.
“What is it?”
“The fix that your mother wanted you to have,” Alex said. “Since I’ll be sending you uptop, I thought it was best to give you this. It’s intradermal. Just inject it in the muscle. Arm, leg, wherever.”
Lijah reached out and took the syringe. “Thanks,” he said. Then he paused. “Does this mean I won’t be seeing my mother again?”
Alex nodded. “I think it’s best you don’t talk to her before you leave the facility. You had a nice visit this morning, didn’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” Lijah said. “I’m sure you can explain to her how things change quickly and decisions have to be made on a moment’s notice, with little or no time. She wouldn’t blame you if the choice was letting me go or having Thoreaux’s men find me and take me.”
Alex smiled big, a genuine hearty thing. “You’re a real team player, Elijah. I’m sorry you can’t stay. I could use more people like you around here.”
With that, Alex knocked, the door opened, and he exited. Lijah sighed and sat back down. He had to get word to Natalie. He wasn’t sure where Alex’s guys were taking him, but he doubted it was out and up to safety.
Chapter 36 - Elaan
Elaan and Josh hadn’t had to get more shots, but they did eat together during lunch. It was just the two of them at the table, though the cafeteria was full. They couldn’t discuss too much of her father’s plan, which meant them leaving tomorrow night. She wasn’t even sure how he planned to get them away from everyone else.
Perhaps stuff like this was the first step, separation during a time that was normally communal. Though, it looked like a dozen or so other students had been paired off for today. An opportunity to see nature take over where the drugs left off.
“So,” Elaan said, trying to think of a topic they could discuss that was both relevant and not too controversial. “How are things in the guys’ dorms?”
Josh laughed. “Guyish. I think I’d do better in the girls’ dormitory.”
Elaan playfully patted him. “That’s not going to fly around here, buddy.”
“Nope,” Josh said. “No it wouldn’t, but you can’t blame a guy for imagining.”
Elaan raised an eyebrow. “You being surrounded by dozens of ladies.”
He shook his head. “No, me being with the only lady I’m interested in.” He leaned forward and kissed her. A kiss she was rather enjoying, until she heard someone clear their throat. She pulled away from Josh and looked up to see a military officer standing beside her. A tall man with sandy hair and freckles. “Ms. Woodson, I’m sorry to bother you, but you’re needed in the lab.”
Elaan frowned. “Are you sure?”
“You’re Elaan Woodson, yes?”
She nodded.
“Then, it’s you I need,” the sandy-haired man assured her.
Elaan sighed, took a last sip of soup, and stood up. Josh took her hand and kissed it. “I’ll see you later,” he said.
She was tempted to roll her eyes at his little display but felt it best not to rock the boat. “Yes, later,” she said.
She followed the officer back to the lab and was surprised to find herself heading to Kingston Wells’ office. Since she’d just left Josh behind, there was no chance that this was a ruse so she could secretly rendezvous with him. This meant Kingston wanted to talk to her. Though, she rarely had anything good to say to the senior Wells.
She sat down in the chair in front of the desk, and Wells, who had been standing behind it, walked around and sat on the edge, so he could lord over her. He smiled down at her, though it didn’t look genuine.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked. “I’ve actually got some chocolates stashed here. I don’t usually share them, but if you’d like one.”
Elaan shook her head. Chocolates. He was buttering her up good. She might as well put a stop to it. “Why did you bring me here?”
“To the point,” he said. “I like that.”
Elaan scowled.
“We’re not adversaries, Elaan,” he said. “You used to help me back at the SPU. You didn’t get surly and resentful every time I opened my mouth back then.”
“You were helping me, then.”
He shook his head. “We had a common goal, then,” he corrected. “We both wanted the SPU to continue functioning as it had. That meant, we both wanted your father to continue in his capacity as the scientific leader of that unit. We worked together to make sure that happened. You assisted me in rousing him during his grief.”
Elaan stared. She had nothing to contribute.
“We still have a common goal, albeit a different one.”
She watched expectantly, waiting for him to explain.
“Joshua,” he said. “We both want what’s best for him, I think. You do want what’s best for him, don’t you?”
Elaan nodded. She couldn’t argue with that, but she still had nothing to say. She was waiting for Kingston to get to the point.
“While your father managed to do what Josh had wanted, to get him paired with you, it has driven a bit of a wedge between myself and my son.”
Elaan stifled a scoff. So Josh was giving his father the cold shoulder. She barely had time to see Josh and when she was given the opportunity, she hadn’t even considered wasting her breath to talk about Kingston, but clearly Josh wasn’t being kind to his father.
“I can tell that your father has asked him to do something, something I’m concerned will get my son hurt. I don’t want him hurt.”
“Neither do I,” she said.
“Then, perhaps you’ll tell me what it is your father asked of him so I can help Josh make an appropriate decision.”
“Josh is an adult,” she said. “He doesn’t need your help.”
&
nbsp; “Whatever Jim has asked of him, if he’s trying to cross Thoreaux, it’s a bad idea. I can’t protect Josh if he crosses Thoreaux.”
Elaan shook her head. “Nothing you’ve done to protect Josh has worked, has it? Everything you’ve done, starting with that vaccine, has done nothing but hurt him, so perhaps it’s best you stop trying to protect him.”
“I love my son.”
“But you were willing to sell my family out so he’d be safe. We were happy in Illinois, and safe until you led them to us.”
Kingston shook his head. “I knew you would be brought here, that you’d be integrated. There was no harm to that.”
Elaan huffed. “And my brother. What about the harm to him?”
“Lijah clearly found the time to escape, as I knew he would. Elijah has always been smart and resourceful. If he had a plan he were involving Josh in, I might not be so worried. But your father, he’s emotional and difficult, and whatever he’s planning, I don’t trust.”
“You’ve got some nerve,” Elaan said. “You bring me here, insult my family and my father, and expect me to help you?”
Kingston looked down at her through his glasses, a haughty expression on his face. “I expect you to help Josh, seeing as you love him. I don’t think you lied to your roommate about that.”
Elaan’s cheeks flushed. She hated this place. “Please send me back to my dormitory.”
He stood and walked back over to his desk chair. Plopping down, he sighed. “I don’t know why you have such antipathy toward me, as if I’m the vilest man alive. Your father has done much worse than me, and yet you forgive him.”
“My father doesn’t need forgiveness.”
“Where is your friend, Amadu?”
Elaan stared at him. Her thoughts prickled as she watched his face. What did he mean? “Amadu was transferred to housing for older students.” She hoped. Her father said he wasn’t sure if Amadu had made it there.
Kingston nodded. “He was transferred, at your father’s request. And it was not to housing for older students.”
Her eyes widened as the realization of what Kingston was suggesting set in. Had her father really transferred Amadu someplace unsafe and lied to her about it? But why would he do that? And then a conversation with her mother hit her. The one where her mom had said her father knew about Amadu and he understood. At the time, she thought it ridiculous that her father understood, but after getting to know Amadu, she’d come to her mother’s opinion. Only, now she worried her first instinct was right.
Kingston was smiling at her. “What?” she asked.
“It’s just fun to watch someone realize what you’re telling them is true.”
“Where did he send him?”
“What does your father want Josh to do for him?”
“I don’t know.”
Kingston grimaced. “Have it your way,” he said. “Don’t tell me. But if Josh is hurt, I will hold you personally responsible. And with no mate to be paired with, I’ll recommend you go to the Basement.”
Elaan stared at him, unable to hide her shock that he’d just promised to get rid of her if she didn’t help him. She should have known. “I want to go see my father.”
“I’m not Josh,” Kingston said. “You don’t just bat your eyes and get me to do your bidding. I’ll have an officer take you back to the dorms. If you change your mind about helping me — and I hope you do — just tell Ms. Pace you need to see me, and she’ll make it happen.”
Chapter 37 - Elaan
Elaan’s meeting with Kingston had left her rattled. She wanted now, more than anything, to know what had happened to Amadu. But she couldn’t talk to her father. She couldn’t do anything except be in the dorm room. She had no way to reach her father or Josh, and she was irritated.
She’d hoped to learn something useful from Ki, but there was nothing. The next morning at breakfast, she didn’t see Josh, and then there was a day of classes. When lunch finally rolled around, she still didn’t spot Josh. She watched as all the people streamed in for lunch, but he wasn’t there. She was eating her soup when she felt a tap on her shoulder, and noticed all eyes at the table seemed to be on her. Or more precisely whomever was standing behind her.
She turned her head and saw her father standing there. She smiled. “Dad, what are you doing here?”
He smiled back and said, “I have some good news to share with you, so I’m going to pull you away from your afternoon, if that’s alright?”
She nodded. That was more than alright. She wanted to talk to him. About Amadu, about Kingston, about everything. She stood, and turned and followed him from the building. As soon as they were out in the autumn air and seemingly out of earshot of people, she leaned in to him and said, “Kingston had a meeting with me last night. He knows you’ve asked Josh to do something to help.”
Her father slowed his gait and whispered back to her. “I know. That’s why I’ve had to alter the plan a little.”
“Of exposing Thoreaux?”
Her father shook his head. “The plan of getting you and Josh out of here. It’s an unconventional plan, but I think it’s the best. Just agree with everything I say when we get to the meeting.”
She instinctively stopped walking at that. Agree to everything he said? “What are you going to say?” she asked, but he didn’t answer. He just grabbed her by the arm and tugged her along with him.
As they walked a little further, they found themselves back in front of the first building she’d been to when she arrived at this place. A guard stood outside, and he ushered them inside. They were directed to the same room with old-fashioned furniture. But this time, seated on the chaise and flanked by a couple of guards, was an older man with red hair. Also inside the room were Kingston and Josh.
Elaan smiled when she saw Josh. She always felt better when he was there. Kingston’s face was pinched and hostile. He stared absolute daggers at Elaan, and she wondered what exactly was going on.
“Elaan,” her father said. “This is our president, Jackson Nelson Thoreaux.”
The red-haired man stood, and Elaan tried not to look like a fish, her mouth bobbing open. She hadn’t expected that. She walked over and shook the man’s hand. Even though she knew he was planning evil things, there was still something very surreal about being introduced to the president.
The man offered the usual pleasantries, and then he said something that left Elaan even more shocked. “I understand you’re wanting to get married.”
She was tempted to look around the room to see if it was possible that Thoreaux was talking to someone else. But his blue eyes were centered squarely on her. He had a face that was chubby and jowly and reminded her of Santa Claus, even though his body seemed fit enough. As she stared at this anathema, her father cleared his throat.
“Yes,” he said. “She and Josh would like to get married and move to the facility in Kansas. I understand there’s a delegation heading out that way this evening.”
Thoreaux smiled at Jim Woodson and said, “Yes, there is.” The man motioned for everyone to have a seat. Elaan and her father sat in two chairs across from Thoreaux, and Josh and Kingston pulled up two more chairs nearby.
“I love seeing couples form, but Mr. Wells and Ms. Woodson seem a bit young to move on to the advanced facility. We usually recommend more time for introspection and togetherness in the church.”
“I know,” her father said. “But, umm, we have a situation. Elaan and Josh spent much time together away from adult supervision, and they may…well, there’s not an easy way to say this. Elaan is pregnant.”
Thoreaux raised an eyebrow, but Josh said nothing. Elaan also said nothing. She looked down at her hands, feeling completely disturbed by her father blindsiding her.
“Sir,” she heard Josh say. “Elaan and I love each other very much, and during our time together, we fell deeply in love, and we attempted a marriage ceremony in a church, in Illinois. It was just the two of us, because there were so few people left that we couldn�
��t find a real minister.”
Elaan turned to watch, a little shocked at how Josh lied with such earnestness.
“Anyway, sir, I’m sorry we didn’t explain earlier. We just weren’t sure how it would be viewed here, as we know you’re trying to keep a place of upstanding moral values.”
Thoreaux put his hand to his chin and looked at both of them. Elaan tried to look contrite, as she supposed that’s what people in this situation did. Only, she wasn’t pregnant, and a simple blood test could prove that. However, this must have been the way to get her and Josh out of this facility.
Thoreaux breathed out and said, finally, “I understand.” He smiled at Josh, then turned to Elaan. “Well, in this world with so few people, I think it’s honorable that you attempted a marriage ceremony yourselves before engaging in behavior that’s sanctified for husbands and wives. While you were good to do things to the best of your ability, I think it’s best to get you two married properly.”
Kingston adjusted his glasses and then spoke. “Well, yes, that’s one solution. But perhaps we could consider others. Despite the circumstances they’re both very young. And what if she doesn’t carry to term?”
Elaan wanted to slap Kingston. Was he really suggesting throwing her to the dogs because she might miscarry her fake fetus?
Thoreaux shook his head. “Yes, they’re young, but they’ve got good heads on their shoulders, and I think we need to support them in taking the right path.”
Elaan’s father nodded. “Kingston still sees his boy, whereas I see a young man,” Jim said. “I trust him implicitly with my daughter.”
Kingston stood there, clearly unhappy, but not quite willing to voice opinions that conflicted with the man in charge.
“Alright, then,” Thoreaux said, his drawl making him sound downright charming. He had an open smile and demeanor that was instantly likable. She could see how he did well in politics. “Sounds like we’re all in agreement. I’m happy to perform the wedding myself, tonight.”
